Car seat & booster law
Rhode Island
Verified · JUN 2026Quick answer · Rhode Island
A car seat or booster is required until your child is 8 years old or taller than 4'9".
Children under 2 or under 30 pounds must ride rear-facing. Children under 8 who are under 57 inches and under 80 pounds must be in a child restraint in the rear seat. From age 8, or once 57 inches or 80 pounds, a seat belt is allowed.
Car seat law checker
The legally required restraint, by state.
General information, not legal advice.
SeatCheckerRequired vs recommended
What the law enforces, and what pediatricians advise. They are not the same.
The law requires
Minimum, or it's enforceable
- Rear-facing until
- Age 2
- Booster until
- Age 8 or 4'9"
- Back seat
- Required under 8
Pediatricians recommend
AAP — safer, not the law
- Rear-facing until
- To seat limit (often age 2+)
- Booster until
- 4'9" — typically age 8–12
- Back seat
- Until age 13
AAP guidance is a safety best practice and is separate from Rhode Island's legal minimum. Rhode Island already requires the restraint in the back seat; pediatricians recommend a booster until the belt fits.
Every stage, by the law
Dual units shown throughout (in + cm, lb + kg). Rows marked Guidance are best practice, not a statutory requirement in Rhode Island.
| Stage | Age | Height | Weight | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rear-facing | Birth – 2 yr | — | — | R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-22 |
| Forward-facing | Toddler (per seat) | — | — | Guidance |
| Booster | until 8 yr | < 4'9" / 145 cm | — | R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-22 |
| Seat belt | 8 yr + | or ≥ 4'9" / 145 cm | — | R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-22 |
| Back seat | under 8 yr | — | — | R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-22 |
- Age
- Birth – 2 yr
- Age
- Toddler (per seat)
- Age
- until 8 yr
- Height
- < 4'9" / 145 cm
- Age
- 8 yr +
- Height
- or ≥ 4'9" / 145 cm
- Age
- under 8 yr